A brighter side of Cambodia...

Cambodia can be a really depressing place, if you focus on the some of the more negative things. Although the history is something you should take in, currently Phnom Penh and Siem Reap are very vibrant, culturally rich, and alive cities. I have loved my time here. Both cities have offered a great place to hang out with good food, a nice hammock, and the opportunity for a good party if the hankering should arise. So, here are some pics of the brighter side of the two cities... (pics from the orphanage and Angkor are on their way).

Catherine and Steph... 

And this is what pure inebriation looks like. Thank you Catherine.

The proud Irish, Jimmy and Gary 

The happy couple. tee hee. 

Tara Lee and Alex enjoying a happy shake. 

Carrie in the tuk-tuk 

After just arriving in Phnom Penh... Me, Tara Lee and Kristin on the way to the Lazy Fish guest house. And, for the record, TL is the only backpacker I have ever met who carries with her a piece of knock-off Louis Vuitton luggage.  

A very dark side of Cambodia...

Cambodia is this crazy place that, on one hand, has an amazing landscape and climate, incredible people and some of the most beautiful temples in the world. On the other hand, it is a country with a very dark past ever-present not only through the killing fields and museums, but also through the people. You can't walk done the street in either the capital or Siem Reap without seeing limbless and disfigured people from the landmines. Here are some pics from the killing fields and the war museum in Phnom Penh:

one of the scenes from inside the museum...

Another shot from outside S21 

outside S21 

A pile of clothes at the killing fields... 

S21 was a highschool before it was turned into a concentration camp. Inside, the classrooms were turned into holding cells. 

more of S21, where victims were held, tortured and killed in Phnom Penh 

One of the cells at S21 

A pile of bones beside one of the mass graves.  

One of the mass graves... 

looking at the skulls, we could see where the victims had been stabbed or hit.  

more of the killing fields 

the killing fields... 

Cambodge...

Unfortunately, Cambodia is one of those places that is really tough to put into words. I mean, Angelina loved it here, so it can't be all bad. Whatever the case, I have been bumming photos since mine was stolen... so hopefully the photos will speak for themselves. Here's a quick rundown:Phnom Penh:
I went to the killing fields and the war museum the first day. Both were amazing. The second day Tara Lee, Jess, Kristin and I went to an orphanage on the outskirts of down. We brought big bags of rice, toys, pens and paper and combs. We got to play with the kids for a couple of hours. Instead of being depressing in the least bit, it was an amazing day. The kids seemed really happy and healthy, they loved practicing their English, and seemed really happy with all the stuff we brought them. I have to get the pics off of the girls' cameras.

Siem Reap:Angkor Wat was huge and amazing... No signs of Angelina. Will post all the pics when I get them. Other than that, Siem Reap is a cool city... but, doesn't have the charm of Phnom Penh. It is also much more expensive and there are too many icky tour groups everywhere cramping the style of everyone around them. Siem Reap has a pretty happening night life, which we have taken full advantage of. Angkor What? is this magical place where they fill a huge bucket with vodka and add a little mix. Catherine has been the biggest victim of these buckets. She's been sent home early on more than one occasion, and she also "explored" her sexuality on the dance floor. Happy to say, I also have pics of that.

Tomorrow we are taking the dreaded bus trip to Bangkok. My birthday is coming up and it looks like it is going to turn into quite a party. I have amassed a pretty big group and they're all looking forward to a night out on the town in Bangkok (of course going to a bar which suits me). Oh! and most exciting of all, I am meeting Sarah in Bangkok on November 30th. Sarah and I spent every waking moment together for my first 365 days in Korea. I haven't seen her since March and there is no better place for a reunion of two besties than Patpong.

a tasty snack at a pit stop... 

Another street scene somewhere between the border to Vietnam and Phnom Penh 

A scene from the street on the way to Phnom Penh 

What's the first thing I did in Cambodia? I pushed the bus that wouldn't start! 

one of the scenes from outside a Caodai temple... 

Look! Japanese tourists!